The first corvette was delivered in 1953, made of fiberglass and sporting an inline six cylinder 3.9 235 cid engine with a 2 speed transmission.  This model offered 150 hp at 4200 rpm’s. The first years production quantity was 300 cars. This was the first year and part of the C1 generation and this body style was offered between 1953 and 1955. This new innovative car was designed by Zora Arkus-Duntov who later became chief engineer of the Corvette.

The C1 Corvette was produced between 1953 and 1962. 1955 was the first year the Corvette was offered with a 265 cid small black V8. 1955  offered a 3 speed manual transmission with the 2 speed powerglide as an option. The body style changed in 1956 with the addition of the Corvette signature coves on the doors. 1956 dropped the V6 and the Corvette only offered a V8 engine. 1957 now offered a 283 cid engine with 5 horsepower options one of which was fuel injection. 1962 was the first year after the original design to offer solid color paint schemes.  The 327 cid engine was introduced to the Corvette in 1962.

The C2 Corvette was introduced in 1963 which is a rare model only offered 1 year with the split rear window.  Chevrolet started to offer larger power plants in this generation with the introduction of the 396 in 1965.  This generation also became famous for the 427 engine offered in 1966 and a version with 3 two barrel carburetors in 1967 making an impressive 435 hp and came with the famous the stinger hood.

The C3 Corvette was introduced in 1968 lasting till 1982, its nicknamed, the shark.  Metal bumpers were offered up until 1972, then the modern day Corvette started to take shape with the molded plastic front and rear bumpers.  Still offering big block options the 427 was switched to a 454 cid engine in 1970.  The big block option was dropped in 1975, only the 350 cid engine was offered.  An official pace car and 25th anniversary were offered in 1978.

The C4 Corvette had its big debut in 1984, there were no Corvette changes in 1983 due to engineering delays of the next generation release. This being the first car with the 29 degree angle windshield, the drag coefficient was reduced to 0.341.  Car and Driver called the new Corvette "the most advanced production car on the planet." Motor Trend described it as "the best-handling production car in the world, regardless of price."  In 1990 the ZR-1 Corvette was born with a 32 valve V8 with 385 hp, soon to be 405. The car changed shape in 1991 to square taillights powered by the new LT1.  The C4 also had an all white 35th anniversary edition in 1988, 40th Ruby Red in 1993, and a limited edition and grand sport in 1996 powered by the LT4.

The C5 Corvette was introduced in 1997 lasting till 2004. The C5 Corvette’s claim to fame was a much stronger chassis designed for strength as a convertible first and foremost. Another improvement was a large reduction in the number of components in the cars design.  The Z06 Corvette was reintroduced in 2001 as a hardtop with an LS6 engine offering 385 hp upped the following year to 405hp all while getting 28 mpg highway.  The car was designed the first few years with very few options to save weight. Touting 0-60 in 3.8 seconds this car was tough to beat.  This was the generation that put the Corvette back on the racing map with wins from the C5-R model.

The C6 carries its racing heritage but also introduces many creature comforts like navigation and heads up display. The base model Corvette was now offering 400 hp so the Z06 model was redesigned to compete with super cars coming in at 505 hp.  Known for the best bang for you buck the C6 Z06 Corvette rallies with many exotics like the Ferrari and Lamborghini. Reintroduced to the public was the C6 version of the ZR1 powered with blower making 638 HP.

The C7 Corvette is the current generation, once again badged the Stingray. The C7 carries its racing heritage but also continues to improve many creature comforts like navigation and heads up display. The base model Corvette is now offering a 6.2 L 376 cu. in 460 hp 465 Lb-Ft LT1 V8. The new aluminum space frame is 57% stiffer and 100 lbs lighter than the previous steele model. A new 7 speed automatic transmission is also avaiable. The Z06 model will be powered by a 7.0 L engine with an expected 600 hp.  Known for the best bang for you buck the Z06 Corvette rallies with many exotics like the Ferrari and Lamborghini. Reintroduced to the public was the C6 version of the ZR1 powered with blower making 638 HP. We can only imaging what the C7 ZR1 will bring. We all look forward to what the future brings us in the current and future generations of the Corvette.